The month of will always May hold memories of the crazy Summer after I finished my ‘o’ levels, the beginning of my touring days and THOSE three minutes on the Eurovision Stage in Estonia.
I remember everything about that week in Estonia. Malta was never tipped as the winner that year, but we worked our way very up in a very classy and charming way.
It’s probably no news to anyone that the pre Eurovision scenario can pretty much be compared to the “Sex and the City” Girl’s brunches, except it ain’t Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda or Samantha strutting their stuff, but a number of well dressed and some not so well dressed gay men lounging about, sipping lattes, bitching about an artist or another, or drooling over the likes of Sakis Rouvas (Greek Hottie Entry 2009) and ‘working’ the press centre.
Upon entering the arena, I was rather amused by the “Diva” like attitude employed by most of the singers, surrounded by Paparazzi, security guards, entourages of people who are solely employed to hold bags. Eastern-block women looking like Louis Vuitton puked all over them, in their bright 80s discontinued Elizabeth Arden lipstick walking around pretending to look busy, while ‘their’ artist enters looking as bewildered as George Michael outside that infamous L.A. bog!
Walking anywhere close to the Spanish entry ‘Rosa’ that year, guaranteed you being visually impaired for the rest of the day, due to the paparazzi photographing her every move.
Arriving at my first press conference I was calm and composed, I had thought of every possible question any of the journalists there could’ve asked me, I definitely wasn’t ready to let Malta down in any way possible. The conference was like one big booby trap! Hehehe the few journalists that were there, stood up asking all sorts of questions, hip to the side, pen-waving and all and I sat there and answered as diplomatically as possible. Then this one catty British journalist stood up and asked why Malta didn’t enter the contest in our language anymore and if I thought this was the reason for our continuous bad results. Immediately I corrected him mentioning Mary Spiteri and Chiara’s conquests years before as memorable great results for our small island, answered his question and coolly asked whether he wanted to hear me sing in my language. I had them dancing in no time to one of my Maltese songs, followed by loud applause!
I took the stage for a very successful rehearsal and the next day our conference room was packed!!! We were definitely the dark horse that year!
I will always remember it as a wonderful experience, because the team of people who surrounded me were fantastic! Everyone was there for one reason, making our country proud, there were no high expectations and definitely no pressure! Yes, no one wanted to let anyone down, but we were all extremely positive.
That night was special, that afternoon while munching on a chicken breast, the president had called me to wish me luck, Good luck messages swarmed in from many many people. I felt like they were all there with me in the arena. THOSE three minutes went by like an eternity, but I never felt so honoured to be representing my country!
Thea we are all behind you, a beautiful voice, charm and beauty……GOOD LUCK!!!!
